E-mail this article

Sending your article

Pat Falco next to a tape installation by Matt Jeffs at Lincoln Arts Project.

By Megan McKee, Town Correspondent

Last summer, recent art school grad Pat Falco, 24, was painting the house of a Waltham artist and wondering whether he should take a 9-to-5 job like some of his friends or make a go at immersion in the art world.

He's managed to do both. Thanks to the short-term painting gig—the house belongs to John Thompson, who owns the former Jordan's Furniture building on Waltham's Moody Street—Falco is now managing the building while running the Lincoln Arts Project, a gallery he co-founded with his friend in the building's lobby.

“There's a good young arts scene in Boston,” said Falco. The problem young artists face, he said, is trying to break into the established gallery scene which skews toward older, established artists.

“Our whole thing is to show younger art,” he said.

While managing the Moody Street building that's now known as Lincoln Studios, Falco and his friend, Elliott Anderson, 26, realized the front hallway and lower level had ample unused space that would be perfect for exhibiting art. Lincoln Studios houses artist studios, loft apartments, and part of Boston University's Center for Digital Imaging Arts.

“We came over here and we were talking about how much we like the area-- the Moody Street area-- and were trying to figure out away to stay,” said Falco.

The pair, who both graduated from Massachusetts College of Art, asked Thompson if they could turn it into a gallery, Thompson agreed, and the pair had their first show last November.

Though they had eight artists in their first show, their recent shows have had about 20 artists each.

Their current and fifth show, “Good Looking” is ongoing until March 25, with the reception slated for March 24 at 7 p.m.

Falco said that although the shows have featured lots of people from MassArt, he and Anderson are trying to reach as many artists as possible via blogs and Tumblr. The only factor they use when choosing work to display is whether it's good, said Falco. "We don't care if it's your first drawing," he said.

They are calling for submissions for Bogus, a show that opens March 28 and will feature recreations of famous works of art interpreted with irreverence and a unique point of view. Submissions are due March 25.

Falco said that between his job and the gallery, he's in touch with artists on a regular basis and since his job isn't the usual day-to-day grind, he has time for his own drawing and illustration when he gets back to his apartment at night.

“Because I'm surrounded by art, I'm excited to go home and make art,” said Falco.